ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Home Affairs
NDMA to conduct workshop on Disaster Risk Reduction database
The National Disaster Management Authority  is conducting a two-day National Workshop on Data Requirements for Disaster Risk Reduction Database beginning here tomorrow. The workshop is being held in collaboration with United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund , United Nations Development Programme  and United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction .
India often refers to global databases and snapshots of disaster events for reporting disaster losses. However, these databases work under various limitations and are not able to produce accurate analyses.
In this background, it is important to create a uniform and credible national-level disaster database. Locally obtained and validated data will aid scientific analyses and suitable policy interventions to reduce disaster risks.
The workshop aims to develop consensus on disasters, thresholds and develop standardised templates for data collection, updation and validation to ensure accuracy and quality. Issues such as interoperability and security of the data will also be discussed.
This database is crucial for assessing and tracking our risks and progress towards resilience without which India will not be able to meet its developmental goals. It will also be a step forwards towards implementing the Prime Minister’s 10-point agenda to address disaster risks, outlined during the Asian Ministerial Conference on DRR  in November, 2016.
Two technical sessions - Disaster information and data management system on damage and loss and good practices, and Discussion to record an event as a disaster in DRR database - will be held on the first day of the workshop. Three technical sessions - Group Presentations and Discussions, Panel discussion on setting up baseline data for damage and loss estimation using 2005-2015 dataset and Discussion on Formation of a “Steering Group for DMIS” and Way forward - will be held on the second day of the workshop.
Officials from NDMA and representatives of concerned Central Ministries and Departments, State Governments, UN agencies, Administrative Training Institutes , Disaster Management Institutes and Universities will participate in the workshop.
India is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. These disasters result in loss of lives and livelihoods, besides causing significant damage to infrastructure and disruption of critical services. These socioeconomic losses undo years of growth and development, especially affecting the most vulnerable and marginalised populations.
Ministry of Communications
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India  today released draft Registration of Consumer Organisations  Regulations, 2023 for stakeholders’ comments
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India  had notified the Registration of Consumer Organisations Regulations, 2013  [hereinafter referred to as the “principal regulations”] on 21st February 2013.
Presently, the Authority, under the principal regulations are registering consumer organisations state-wise who can assist Authority by performing the roles mentioned in the regulations.
In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, emerging technologies like 5G, 6G, Artificial Intelligence , Internet of Things  etc. hold immense potential for the betterment of the lives of consumers. The use cases of these technologies can be helpful for different sections of society. AI and IoT offer communities various opportunities to access real-time market information, optimise resource management, and enhance crop yields. AI-powered weather forecasts coupled with IoT sensor aids may help farmers to take informed agricultural decisions.
The 5G-enabled high-speed connectivity empowers businesses and startups with AI-driven analytics to improve production, supply chains, and customer experiences, fostering global competition. Online education and remote healthcare through 5G enhanced services in remote areas, while IoT-driven disaster prediction and response systems boost environmental sustainability and disaster resilience for vulnerable communities. These technologies, when harnessed effectively, can drive inclusive growth, enhance accessibility, and bridge socio-economic gaps.
Consumer organisations can play a supporting role in raising awareness about the benefits accrued out of these emerging technologies, particularly to the marginalised communities, people in rural areas for bridging the digital divide. For conducting theme-based events, these organisations can assist TRAI explaining the use cases of these technologies, educate consumers of different sections such as women, farmers, fisheries, students etc. about their potential benefits, and also propagate cyber hygiene and make consumers aware of data privacy.
The Authority felt a need to register national level consumer organisations, having presence in multiple states/ UTs having capability and experience in campaigning and conducting theme-based events by developing awareness material can provide an interface between consumers and Authority. The proposed amendment would enable Authority to register capable consumer organisations having wider reach to work in more than five states/ UTs under national level registration. It simplifies the registration process for such consumer organisations.
The draft regulation is accessible on TRAI website www.trai.gov.in and shall be open for comments of the stakeholders up to 4th October 2023. In case of any clarifications, Shri Anand Kumar Singh, Advisor , TRAI may be contacted at Telephone: 011-23210990 or email ID: advisorit@trai.gov.in.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Centre exhorts the States to proactively curb the Chain of Transmission and bring Mortality below 1%
Health Ministry reviews COVID Management &Response in 15 districts across 5 States exhibiting high caseload and fatality
Union Health Secretary Shri Rajesh Bhushan held a review meeting through video conference  with the Health Secretaries of 15 districts across 5Statesof Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh today. These 15 districts comprise Chittoor, Prakasam, Mysuru, Bengaluru Urban, Ballari, Koppal, Dakshina Kannada, Davangere, Ludhiana, Patiala, Chennai, Coimbatore, Salem, Lucknow and Kanpur Nagar. They have been exhibiting higher active caseload, fatality rates and a surge in the COVID cases for the past four weeks. In addition to the State Health Secretaries, District Collectors, Municipal Commissioners and other district functionaries also participated in the digital review meeting.
The Union Secretary shared the overall status and performance of the districts on the key parameters of testing, positivity, case fatality etc., focusing on the need of continuing containment measures, increasing testing, effective clinical management of patients.State Health Secretariesprovided an in-depth analysis on the current status of COVID-19 in these 15 districts coveringaspects of containment measures, contact tracing, surveillance activities, facility-wise case fatality rates, trends in terms of weekly new cases and deaths, etc. and shared their detailed roadmaps and action plans for the next one month.
Granularities in terms of split of RT-PCR and Rapid Antigen tests conducted in the district, re-testing percentage of symptomatic negatives from Antigen tests, testing lab utilization, home isolation status, hospitalization status and bed occupancies of oxygen-supported beds, ICU beds and ventilator etc., were also shared with the Center.
The States were advised to take steps on the following specific areas:
- Limiting and eventually breaking the spread of the infection by implementing stringent containment measures and following social distancing measures, strict peri-meter control, and active house-to-house case search.
- Early identification by ramping up testing across the districts, optional utilization of RT-PCR testing capacity and use of Rapid Antigen Tests as a screening test in hotspots and densely populated areas.
- Effectivemonitoring of home isolation cases and early hospitalization in case of disease progression.
- Seamless hospitalization and early admission for patients requiring medical support, especially in cases of co-morbid and elderly population.
- Following effective infection control measures in hospitals to safeguard healthcare workers from contracting the infection.
- District Collectors and other functionaries to prepare and update district specific plans to continue their efforts to manage the pandemic with the same rigor.
Prime Minister's Office
PM greets Dalai Lama on his 87th birthday
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has greeted Dalai Lama on his 87th birthday over phone earlier today. He also prayed for Dalai Lama's long life and good health.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said;
"Conveyed 87th birthday greetings to His Holiness the @DalaiLama over phone earlier today. We pray for his long life and good health."
AYUSH
Promotion of Ayush in Rural and Urban Areas
As per key indicators of the NSS 75th round on Social Consumption on Health in India conducted by National Statistics Office , MOSPI during July 2017- June 2018, it was found that 95.4% of ailments were treated by allopathy and only 4.4% ailments were treated by AYUSH  at all India level.
Rural and Urban break up is given below:-
Percentage of ailments treated by Allopathy and AYUSH, all India
|
|
Sector
|
|
Percentage of ailments treated by
|
|
Allopathy
|
|
AYUSH
|
|
|
|
Rural
|
|
95.4
|
|
4.5
|
|
|
|
Urban
|
|
95.4
|
|
4.3
|
|
|
|
All
|
|
95.4
|
|
4.4
|
|
Source: Key indicators on Social Consumption in India: Health- 75th round 
National Statistical Office  does not conduct specific survey on AYUSH but undertakes survey on health and morbidity periodically. Further, AYUSH system is fragmented and the surveys may not be capturing entire gamete of AYUSH facilities.
In NSS 75th round survey on Social Consumption on Health in India, higher usage  of ‘AYUSH’ treatment by rural male than its urban counterpart and less usage of ‘AYUSH’ treatment  by rural female than urban female has been reported. Use of AYUSH treatment by Rural and Urban Male and Female is given below:-
|
|
Sector
|
|
Percentage of ailments treated by AYUSH
|
|
Male
|
|
Female
|
|
|
|
Rural
|
|
4.2
|
|
4.7
|
|
|
|
Urban
|
|
3.6
|
|
5.1
|
|
|
|
All
|
|
4.1
|
|
4.8
|
|
Source: Key indicators on Social Consumption in India: Health- 75th round 
However, Government of India is implementing Centrally Sponsored Scheme National AYUSH Mission  through States/UTs which envisages:
- Better access to AYUSH services by supporting States/UTs for opening integrated AYUSH hospitals, up-gradation of AYUSH hospitals and dispensaries, supply of AYUSH medicines.
- Strengthening of AYUSH educational institutions by strengthening States/UTs to improve infrastructure of education institutions.
- Facilitate the enforcement of quality control of Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani & Homoeopathy  drugs by establishment of AYUSH pharmacies and drugs testing laboratories.
- Sustainable availability of ASU & H raw-materials by encouraging cultivation of medicinal plants.
In addition, this Ministry has also released Grant-in-aid of Rs. 2583.666 Crores to States/UTs for different activities of NAM since inception of NAM in 2014 to till date.
The Minister of State , Sh. Kiren Rijiju  stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha here today.
PIB Headquarters
INDONESIAN DELEGATION VISITS EFLU
Mr. Ade Sukendar, Consul General, Republic of Indonesia in Mumbai, accompanied by an official delegation of 09 officials has called on Prof. E Suresh Kumar, Vice Chancellor, the English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, today.
Mr. Ade Sukendar stressed on the need for active cooperation between India and Indonesia in Education sector. He reiterated that his visit to EFL University will enhance specialised teacher training programmes, proficiency training for diplomats, and further enrich cultural relations. The Consul General made a special mention that many Indonesian students are studying in various universities across India, while EFLU has a few students on rolls at present. The Indonesian delegation led by the Consul General also included Mr. Yadi Suriahadi, Consul ; Mr. Soemarajanto Karyasentika, Vice Consul ; Mr. Ferry Samuel Jacob, Trade attaché; Mr. D Rizky Novihamzah, Director, Indonesian Investment Promotion Centre ; Abudhabi, Mr. Kumara Jati, Director, Indonesia Trade Promotion Centre  Chennai.
Prof. E Suresh Kumar briefed Mr. Ade Sukendar and the delegation about in EFLU Courses Programmes and other initiatives undertaken by the university in the last two years. The Consul General thanked the English and Foreign Languages University and the University administration for extending timely cooperation to the Indonesian students presently studying at EFL University. Mr. Sukendar said he would like to send more students to EFL University and also explore the possibility of sending teachers and diplomats for Teacher training and Professional Development Programmes through the Ministry of External Affairs. Prof. Surabhi Bharati, Dean, International Relations of the University, coordinated the visit of the Indonesian delegation.
Department of Atomic Energy
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh says, the Government is exploring the options of collaborating with other countries and taking up indigenous development of Small Modular Reactors 
The provisions of Atomic Energy Act, 1962 are being examined to allow participation of private sector and start-ups to promote SMRs technology in the country: Dr Jitendra Singh
Union Minister of State  Science & Technology; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh today said, the Government is exploring the options of collaborating with other countries and taking up indigenous development of Small Modular Reactors .
In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Dr Jitendra Singh informed that the future course of action will be finalized on the basis of the decision of the Government. He also informed that the provisions of Atomic Energy Act, 1962 are being examined to allow participation of private sector and start-ups to promote SMRs technology in the country.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, SMR is a promising technology in industrial de-carbonization especially where there is a requirement of reliable and continuous supply of power. India is considering steps for development of SMR, to fulfil its commitment to Clean Energy transition.
The Minister said, detailed technical discussions are currently underway to plan a roadmap for studying the feasibility and effectiveness of deployment of such reactors. Augmentation of nuclear power capacity through large size reactors is the primary goal of the Department.
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Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister’s interaction with Japanese personalities
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met leading Japanese personalities Dr. Tomio Mizokami and Ms. Hiroko Takayama, who have excelled in their professions, during his visit to Hiroshima for the G-7 Summit.
Dr. Tomio Mizokami, Professor Emeritus at the Graduate School of Foreign Studies of Osaka University is a renowned author and linguist, and is proficient in Hindi and Punjabi languages. He was conferred the Padma Shri award in 2018 for his contribution to the promotion of Indian literature and culture in Japan. He presented the widely acclaimed book "Jwalamukhi”- an anthology of writings from the 1980s by a cohort of Japanese scholars who laid the foundation of Hindi learning in Japan.
Ms. Hiroko Takayama, born in Hiroshima is a Western style painter, whose works are deeply influenced by her deep association with India, spanning over two decades. She has conducted numerous workshops and held exhibitions in India, and was briefly a Visiting Professor at Visva Bharati University, Shanti Niketan. She presented the Prime Minister one of her prominent works - an oil painting of Lord Buddha, created in 2022.
Prime Minister shared that such interactions facilitate deepening of mutual understanding, respect and creating stronger bonds between our countries. He looked forward to further opportunities for such enriching exchanges that pave the way for further strengthening India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership relations.
Ministry of Defence
Tejas Fighter Aircraft
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited , a Defence PSU under the Ministry of Defence responded to a Request for Information  received from Royal Malaysian Air Force , Malaysia in February, 2019 for LCA class aircraft. Subsequently, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited responded in October, 2021 to Request for Proposal  issued against tender released by Royal Malaysian Air Force, Malaysia for 18 nos of Fighter Lead In Trainer – Light Combat Aircraft  and HAL offered LCA Tejas twin seater variant. Other countries which have evinced interest in LCA aircraft are: Argentina, Australia, Egypt, USA, Indonesia, and Philippines.
The Government has taken several policy initiatives in the past few years and brought in reforms to encourage indigenous design, development and manufacture of defence equipment in the country, thereby expanding their production. These initiatives, inter-alia, include:
- According priority to procurement of capital items from domestic sources under Defence Acquisition Procedure -2020.
- The announcement of 18 major defence platforms for industry led design & development in March, 2022.
- Notification of three ‘Positive Indigenisation Lists’ of total 310 items of Services and two ‘Positive Indigenisation Lists’ of total 2958 items of the Defence Public Sector Undertakings , for which there would be an embargo on the import beyond the timelines indicated against them.
- Simplification of Industrial licensing process with longer validity period.
- Liberalisation of Foreign Direct Investment  policy allowing 74% FDI under automatic route.
- Simplification of Make Procedure.
- Launch of Innovations for Defence Excellence  scheme involving start-ups & Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises .
- Implementation of Public Procurement  Order 2017.
- Launch of an indigenisation portal namely SRIJAN to facilitate indigenisation by Indian Industry including MSMEs.
- Reforms in Offset policy with thrust on attracting investment and Transfer of Technology for Defence manufacturing by assigning higher multipliers.
- Establishment of two Defence Industrial Corridors, one each in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
- Opening up of Defence Research & Development  for industry, start-ups and academia with 25 percent of defence R&D budget earmarked to promote development of defence technology in the country; and
- Progressive increase in allocation of Defence Budget of military modernisation for procurement from domestic sources, etc.
This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt in a written reply to Shrimati Queen Oja and others in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Finance
Income Tax Department carries out searches in Srinagar and Kupwara
The Income Tax Department has carried out simultaneous search and seizure operations on 2nd September, 2020 in the case of three prominent businessmen in Srinagar and Kupwara. These operations have, prima facie, led to the detection of huge amount of undisclosed income, seizure of unaccounted assets and incriminating evidence and involvement in benami transactions by these three groups.
The search action revealed that the key person of one of the groups, although engaged in Cross-LOC trade until the suspension of trade by the Government in April 2019, has not filed his Income Tax Returns. He was also found to be having two active PANs. His proprietory concern has made exports of over Rs. 25 crore in the last few years. However, no income tax has been paid at all. Incriminating documents related to the LoC trade have been seized from the Custodian of cross-LOC trade, indicating large-scale tax evasion. There are also evidences of unexplained expenditure on the education of his daughter in Pakistan.
In another case, the key person and his brother were engaged in Cross-LOC trade until the suspension of trade by the Government. He had made total exports of Rs 3 crore in the last two years, while he had filed his Income Tax Return for only one year and that too, showing meager receipts. The Income Tax Return filed also does not match with the credits in multiple bank accounts which run into crores of rupees. Further, evidences showing illegal trade in violation of suspension of cross LoC trade have been seized. The passport of the assessee reveals that he had travelled to Pakistan for 20-25 days every calendar year since 2017 and the source of expenditure on this account is prima-facie unexplained.
In yet another case, it was seen that the group was engaged in Cross- LOC trade of vegetables and fruits. In this case, unaccounted cash of Rs. 15 lakh has been seized. The group is having multiple concerns. However, transactions of these concerns have not been reflected in their Income Tax Returns. In the case of a person of this group, who is a non-filer, documents pertaining to the unaccounted business transactions of about Rs.10 crore have been seized. In another case of a firm, one of the partners in the firm has admitted that his name was only being used, though he was not involved in any activity of the firm. The matter is being examined from the angle of Benami transactions. A locker has also been found which is yet to be searched and has been placed under restraint.
Further investigations are going on.
Prime Minister's Office
PM asks countrymen to change DP of social media accounts in the spirit of the 'HarGharTiranga'
The Prime Minister changed the DP of his social media accounts to the Tricolor. He asked everyone to do the same in the spirit of the #HarGharTiranga.
The nation is celebrating Har Ghar Tiranga movement between 13-15 August.
PM Modi tweeted:
"In the spirit of the #HarGharTiranga movement, let us change the DP of our social media accounts and extend support to this unique effort which will deepen the bond between our beloved country and us."
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Ministry of I&B issues advisory on advertisements on Online Gaming, Fantasy Sports etc.
Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has today issued advisory on Online Gaming, Fantasy Sports etc. The Ministry has advised broadcasters to adhere to the Guidelines issues by Advertising Standards Council of India. The Ministry has also advised that the advertisements should not promote any activity prohibited by statute or law.
The detailed advisory can be accessed at the link below:
https://mib.gov.in/sites/default/files/Advisory.pdf